Abstract:
These cases were written by Robert Murray, a member of the Tower Commission that examined the US policy in Lebanon during the early 1980s. Part A focuses on a September 1982 meeting of the National Security Council which considers a request from the new president of strife-torn, faction-ridden Lebanon for American (as well as French and Italian) peacekeeping troops to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces. Part B focuses on the aftermath of the deadly suicide terrorist attack on the US Marine barracks at Beirut International Airport which resulted in the death of 241 Americans. The case concludes with a series of questions which call for an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of American strategy.
Learning Objective:
The cases are designed such that readers can play the role of policymakers considering, first, US intervention in Lebanon and, second, US withdrawal.
